Murray Bushrangers coach Leon Higgins has spent a week at the GIANTS to gain invaluable experience at the elite level.

Higgins sat in on various team meetings, swapped insights with GIANTS coaching staff and helped run drills at training.

The visit was part of the TAC Cup/AFL Coaching Exchange which aims to create a pathway for development coaches.

Higgins said he will take away some key lessons which will ultimately strengthen his Bushrangers side in 2016.

“It’s been a tremendous opportunity for me to be involved with the GIANTS and I’ll definitely be able to take some ideas back for my group,” Higgins said.

“A big part of my role is educating players and some of the defensive methods I’ve seen will really come in handy.

“The way Leon interacts with his assistant coaches has been terrific, he’s always happy to get a lot of input from the people around him.

“Hopefully I have built relationships this week which can continue into the future.”

Higgins is no stranger to professional football having played 122 games for Sydney and Hawthorn over nine seasons.

He also spent 17 years in the Victorian Police Force recently working as a Youth Resource Officer.